"Greg," 3/31/2005

(Chief opinion: Neutral)

After reading some of the letters on both sides regarding the use of the Chief I find myself thinking more about the actual issue at hand rather than just this university. I am originally from Ohio and don't know much regarding the tradition of this particular mascot, however, I do have a lot of knowledge with other Native American mascots such as the Cleveland Indians and Miami of Ohio. I would characterize myself as being white, however I do have a significant amount of Native American heritage as well. My simple question for people who are against the use of characters such as the Chief is what are you really complaining about? The only people who really have a reason or right to complain in the first place are native americans. There was a survey sent out in 1994 regarding the use of Chief Wahoo by the Cleveland Indians that went strictily to native americans. Most of the responses they got were favorable to the use of this mascot. Is the Chief really demeaning in anyway? The idea that it is perpetuating racial sterotypes is frankly a horrible argument. Does the costume have anything blatantly wrong in regards to the clothing of native americans way in the past? Doesn't seem like it. Does the Chief do anything overly violent? No he does not. What stereotypes is this perpetuating? People need to relax, realize that just because a person of racial minority is being used as a mascot does not make it wrong. I can't imagine anyone who is level headed could see this as an attack on their heritage. Simply put, there are reasons to get upset in other cases such as the Redskins or other names used in the past, but this has gone to far. Why do we never hear Irish Americans complain about Notre Dames mascot? Why is it horrible to have a mascot like the Chief but the name Yankees (which is a severe insult in much of the south) is still fine? Simply because this is more of a case of people who aren't even truly affected by this name want to make an issue out of nothing.

"Greg," via the web.